Office of the President / Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo
Black History Month: Student Voices and Shared Reflection
This week, as part of Black History Month, Kentucky State University proudly hosted the 2026 Black History Celebration Speaker Series: Student Voices, presented in partnership with the Kentucky Black Legislative Caucus. When Dr. Carter G. Woodson established this annual observance a century ago, his aspiration was clear: to elevate disciplined historical inquiry and secure its rightful place within American education. That vision continues to guide how institutions approach Black History Month today. At Kentucky State University — the Commonwealth’s only public HBCU and 1890 land-grant institution — the study of history is reflective, contextual, and closely tied to leadership, citizenship, and responsibility.
Research, Reach, and Mentoring
One of the most powerful truths about Kentucky State University is this: our students are being prepared for lives of extraordinary achievement because of the people who educate them. Faculty excellence is not an abstract concept here. It is daily, student-centered, and rigorous — showing up in classrooms and laboratories, in clinics and community settings, and in the steady mentoring that helps students sharpen their talents, deepen their confidence, and see themselves as leaders.
Building on our Momentum
Kentucky State University is delivering an educational experience that prepares graduates not just for the workforce, but for lives of leadership and service. Our enrollment is growing, and the resilience we have demonstrated in the face of adversity speaks to the character of this learning community. I see it in the way we all show up for students, support one another, and remain focused on the work that matters most.
Continuing Our Work Together
As we move toward the close of our third week of the Spring 2026 semester, we are facing a new set of challenges as our region continues to feel the effects of Winter Storm Fern. I know many of you are managing difficult conditions — travel disruptions, changed routines, family responsibilities, and, for some, interruptions in power and connectivity. Please make safe decisions, look out for one another, and stay attentive to official University updates as conditions continue to evolve.
Remembering Dr. King
Today, as we observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we honor Dr. King’s life and legacy — and we do so with a meaningful Kentucky State University connection. On June 2, 1957, Dr. King came to Frankfort to deliver the Commencement address for Kentucky State College, as our University was known then. While the ceremony was held at a local high school to accommodate the large gathering, the significance of that moment belonged unmistakably to Kentucky State and to this community.
Moving Forward Together
As we begin this term together, I want to acknowledge the profound impact of the events of December on our community. Last month, Kentucky State University experienced a senseless tragedy that resulted in the death of one of our students and critical injuries to another. We continue to grieve the loss of De’Jon Fox, Jr. and hold in our hearts the student who remains in recovery from critical injuries.